Tiered axial taper roller bearing with common center ring

Abstract

A tiered bearing assembly including first and second pluralities of tapered rolling elements and a common center ring arranged between the first and second pluralities of tapered rolling elements with a Z-shaped profile in cross-section is provided. A taper direction of the first plurality of tapered rolling elements is opposite to a taper direction of the second plurality of tapered rolling elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tiered bearing assembly comprising:
 a first plurality of tapered rolling elements; 
 a second plurality of tapered rolling elements; 
 a first ring defining a first outer raceway on which the first plurality of tapered rolling elements run; 
 a second ring defining a second outer raceway on which the second plurality of tapered rolling elements run; and 
 a center ring arranged between the first plurality of tapered rolling elements and the second plurality of tapered rolling elements, the center ring including a radially inner arm and a radially outer arm connected by an angled central portion that forms an angle of less than 90° with each of the radially inner arm and the radially outer arm, the center ring having a Z-shaped profile in cross-section, the central portion having a first surface that defines a first inner raceway on which the first plurality of tapered rolling elements run and has a second, opposite surface that defines a second inner raceway on an opposite side of the central portion on which the second plurality of tapered rolling elements run, with a taper direction of the first plurality of tapered rolling elements being opposite to a taper direction of the second plurality of tapered rolling elements. 
 
     
     
       2. The tiered bearing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first ring includes a first ring rim extending towards the center ring, and the first ring rim contacts a first axial end surface of the first plurality of tapered rolling elements. 
     
     
       3. The tiered bearing assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the radially outer rim of the center ring contacts a second axial end surface of the first plurality of tapered rolling elements. 
     
     
       4. The tiered bearing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second ring includes a second ring rim extending towards the center ring, the second ring rim abuts a first axial end surface of the second plurality of tapered rolling elements. 
     
     
       5. The tiered bearing assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the radially inner rim of the center ring contacts a second axial end surface of the second plurality of tapered rolling elements. 
     
     
       6. The tiered bearing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an outer path diameter of the first plurality of tapered rolling elements is identical to an outer path diameter of the second plurality of tapered rolling elements. 
     
     
       7. The tiered bearing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an inner path diameter of the first plurality of tapered rolling elements is identical to an inner path diameter of the second plurality of tapered rolling elements. 
     
     
       8. The tiered bearing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an inner path diameter of the first plurality of tapered rolling elements is different than an inner path diameter of the second plurality of tapered rolling elements. 
     
     
       9. The tiered bearing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an outer path diameter of the first plurality of tapered rolling elements is different than an outer path diameter of the second plurality of tapered rolling elements. 
     
     
       10. The tiered bearing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an inner diameter of the first ring is less than an inner diameter of the second ring. 
     
     
       11. The tiered bearing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an outer diameter of the first ring is less than an outer diameter of the second ring. 
     
     
       12. The tiered bearing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an inner diameter of the center ring is equal to an inner diameter of the first ring and equal to an inner diameter of the second ring. 
     
     
       13. The tiered bearing assembly of  claim 12 , wherein an outer diameter of the center ring is equal to an outer diameter of the first ring and equal to an outer diameter of the second ring. 
     
     
       14. The tiered bearing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein axes of each of the first plurality of tapered rolling elements and axes of each of the second plurality of tapered rolling elements are each perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tiered bearing assembly.